‘HAVING A HOT FLUSH ON THE ICE WARMS ME UP!’
She was one of the nation’s favourite talk show hosts, so we were chuffed to hear Trisha Goddard is returning from the US, where she now lives, to take part in the new series.
The 61-year-old, who has overcome a battle with breast cancer, is partnered with Lukasz Rozycki.
Here, she talks about adapting to UK life again and explains why she’s not a fan of her glitzy costumes...
Hi Trisha! How are you finding Dancing On Ice so far?
The best thing was when I was in the States training. I was getting really frustrated and this coach came up to me and said, “I’ve seen you improve over the last few weeks.” I was like, “Yeah, right,” and he said, “Listen, I have pupils every week for a couple of hours and it takes them nine months before I even start doing what you’re doing now.” You learn in one month what usually takes 18 months. I’m doing two hours of training every day, sometimes four hours.
Are you worried about injuries?
Oh no. I trail run every day and I’m always falling. My thing was just living out of a suitcase. I’m cut off from my girlfriends and I just found out my daughters can’t come to the Christmas special. I’m an empty nester and my security base is in the States. I can get a bit sorry for myself.
What are you going to bring to the ice?
This month I’ll be 62 and I keep joking that I could be everyone’s mummy. I could be Perri Kiely’s grandmother! [Laughs] I’d like to show women that menopause can be a beautiful thing. Having a hot flush on the ice helps – it warms you up! I learnt to ski at 37 and I started abseiling after that, then I learnt to rollerblade at 40, so I always like to push myself.
Did you ever think you’d be wearing these sparkly outfits in your 60s?
Oh, don’t! I’m fashion mad, but I tend to dress quite gothy – leather and Dr Martens. I usually have my hair a lot shorter and madder than this too.
So this is quite girlie for you?
Yes. Everyone has said, “What is the hardest thing about it?”
And it’s this! I don’t mind the cleavage. I’ve got quite sparkly trousers and I’ll put glittery laces in my Dr Martens, but that’s the height of it.